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Challenger in mayor’s race leads in contributions, expenditures

With less than three weeks to go before the municipal elections, look for candidates to make a late push to get their word out.

In the race for Harrisonville mayor, one candidate likely has a significant advantage in campaigning as the challenger Judy Bowman has significantly outraised and outspent incumbent Brian Hasek.

Both camps reported income and expenditures to the Missouri Ethics Commission Feb. 20, 40 days prior to the election and even though Bowman’s committee had spent nearly $10,000, it still had $14,824 on hand.

Hasek’s report was much different with a beginning balance of $635, contributions of $2,000 and after expenditures the committee had $1,373 on hand.

Another report is due March 25 prior to the election and another is due after the election so late contributions may still be reported.

There are no limits on the amount of money individual donors can give in municipal elections, but corporations are forbidden from contributing.

Bowman’s list of donors includes many small contributions, but also some major donations.

The top donor to her campaign is David Flick of Loch Lloyd, who has made a cumulative donation of $10,000. Flick is a horticulturist and is president of Terra Technologies, a firm which consults on projects related to the Clean Water Act. The second-largest contributor is former mayor and Ward 3 Alderman candidate Bill Mills, who has donated $2,500.

Hasek’s committee reports only three contributors of $500 or more: Mike and Fran Cook, $500; Lon Holden, $500; and GT Investment Holdings of Independence, $1,000. Hasek acknowledged the GT Investment contribution was from Scott Beck and said he did not know why Beck chose to make the contribution from the business instead of personally.

According to a spokesperson in the ethics commission office, corporations are barred from donating, but an LLC can, depending on its tax filing status. The spokesperson said it is up to the candidate to confirm the donating company meets the legal requirement.